An ardent observer, analyst and critic of politics and current happenings. Truly believes in human equality, poor and peasants have first right on resources, and rule of law essential in a democracy.
Here are my reflections and collections.

Saturday, 17 June 2017

Gorkhaland's statehood struugle

Violence in Darjeeling for Gorkhaland's statehood sparked off by Mamata Banerjee's government decision to introduce the Bengali language in schools. Indigenous Gorkhas, who mainly speak Nepali, are furious. Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) warned that "untoward" events could happen when the general strike starts and within a week 7,000 tourists left Darjeeling hills. The troubles have dealt a major blow to the region's crucial tourism industry. Bimal Gurung, head of the GJM, told that his warning to the tourists was for their own safety as the events could worsen anytime if his group launches a full-scale campaign for a separate state. The Gorkhas have been campaigning for decades for a homeland. They say Bengali-speaking outsiders have exploited their resources and imposed their culture and language. A similar agitation in 2007 led to the granting of some administrative powers to local people.

Now the question is when Telangana is separated from Andhra Pradesh, due to people's sentiment and diversity of cultures, Gorkhas asking for Gorkhaland is in order. Similar such demands could crop up in at least 14 states, in future. Where are we heading for?Also read: Reviving Gorkhaland